Common Name: Heliotrope

Common hottentot skipper butterfly on the flowersPhotograph by: JonRichfield

General Information

Heliotrope is an evergreen shrub growing up to about 2 metres tall.
Harvested from the wild for its medicinal purposes and essential oil, the plant is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and hedge in temperate (where it is grown as an annual) to tropical gardens[

Known Hazards

Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.

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No other specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, but many members of this plant family (Boraginaceae) are known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have a cumulative effect upon the body and, unless concentrations in a plant are high, occasional use is generally completely safe. They are derived from amino acids including ornithine. Many pyrrolizidine alkaloids have pronounced hepatic toxicity, but the lungs and other organs may be affected as well. Mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of pyrrolizidine alkaloids have also been reported[

Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

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The plant turns its leaves and flowers so that it is always facing the sun during the day[